Jammerbugt Kommune has set an ambitious climate agenda with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 70% by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. As one of Denmark's 20 municipalities in the DK2020 pilot project, the municipality positions itself as a frontrunner in the green transition. The municipality's location between the North Sea and the Limfjord, combined with large agricultural areas and significant wind energy production, provides both unique opportunities and particular challenges in climate action. Today, Jammerbugt Kommune emits 519,000 tonnes of CO2e annually, equivalent to 13.4 tonnes per inhabitant - significantly higher than the national average of 9 tonnes (p. 4). Since 1990, emissions have already been reduced by 43%, from 902,000 tonnes to today's level. Agriculture dominates the emissions accounts with a full 80% of total emissions, primarily from cultivation of carbon-rich lowland soils and cattle farming. Transport accounts for a further 25%, while the energy sector actually contributes negatively to the accounts, as the municipality exports more green electricity than it consumes. What makes Jammerbugt Kommune's climate challenge particularly complex is the dominant role that agriculture plays. While many other municipalities can focus on energy and transport, Jammerbugt faces the difficult task of reducing emissions from a sector where technological solutions are not yet fully developed. At the same time, the municipality's geographic location with many old reclaimed areas and near-surface groundwater creates particular climate adaptation challenges, which became evident in the winter of 2019-2020 when fields and lawns were submerged. The municipality's most ambitious measure is the plan to retire 1,000 hectares of carbon-rich lowland soils by 2030, starting with a 500-hectare pilot project in the municipality's largest drinking water area (p. 21). The project combines climate considerations with nature conservation and recreational values through multi-functional land consolidation. At the same time, the municipality aims to convert 23% of the vehicle fleet to electric and hybrid cars and replace 2,000 oil boilers with climate-friendly alternatives. A particularly innovative element is the AI-based screening tool that the municipality is developing with support from the Finance Act 2020 for mapping flood risks. The plan's honest assessment shows, however, that the planned initiatives alone will not bring the municipality to its goal. Particularly in agriculture and transport, the plan acknowledges that 'new regulatory frameworks, national measures, and local actions can reduce the shortfall over time' (p. 21). This underscores how dependent local climate action is on technological development and national political decisions in areas such as biogas, alternative fuels for agricultural machinery, and fossil-free heavy transport. To involve citizens and businesses, the municipality plans to establish a climate and energy forum and has already entered into a climate partnership agreement with the local agricultural organisations Agri Nord, Landbonord, and Bæredygtigt Landbrug. The popular Skraldekaravanen continues its work educating children and young people in sustainability, while the municipality as an ambassador will lead the way through conversion of its own vehicle fleet and energy renovation of municipal buildings. Success will largely depend on whether the municipality manages to maintain the broad cross-sector and cross-interest collaboration that has characterised Jammerbugt Kommune over the years.

Source: Klimahandlingsplan mod 2050 (2021)